BENTON HARBOR, MI – In their season opener, the Ancilla College soccer team went on the road and defeated Lake Michigan College 2-0.

The win was the Chargers’ first MCCAA (Michigan Community College Athletic Association) win in two seasons, after suffering from a 0-5-1 conference record last year.

“We started off very well,” said Ancilla first year coach Adam Hall, “retaining possession when possible. I was very happy with the players work rate with and without possession. We created many chances (Ancilla took 24 shots on goal compared to 4 shots from LMC). We could have been a bit more ruthless in front of goal, but the field was very challenging and very short compared to our field.”

Ancilla took control of the game early on and created many opportunities in the first twenty minutes. The Chargers received a penalty shot in the first half, taken by David Zendejas, but the Red Hawk goalkeeper, Danny Martinez, saved the penalty down the middle with a kick save in mid-air. The Ancilla midfield and defense were playing very intense and kept any Lake Michigan attacks to a minimum.

The Chargers came out in the second half with the same intensity as the first half. “I believed that with the pressure we were putting on them, our goal would finally come,” said Hall. And it did, in the 73rd minute. Dominic Harris had some good work down the right, playing in the cross to the back post where freshman Jose Herrera received the ball and turned his defender before accurately placing the goal in the top left hand corner of the net. “Jose had just placed a shot that came back off the inside of the post five minutes earlier and was unlucky to see that attempt roll back across the goal-line,” remembered Hall.

With eight minutes remaining sophomore Nakilee Weni was played down the right by freshman Jamie Lisle. Weni aimed a cross at goal but the deflection sent the ball looping over the keeper to the back post, eventually finding a way into the net.

“I am delighted with our first regular season victory,” concluded Hall. “The lads showed the competitiveness I have been demanding from them in practice. I was proud of the way we played. They have taken well to my instructions and the style of soccer I am trying to have them play.”

Ancilla hosts NJCAA #9 Schoolcraft College on Friday in a battle of early season MCCAA leaders. Both teams enter the matchup with three points in conference.

Ancilla College, a part of The Center at Donaldson, enrolls just under 500 students in 18 Associate’s Degree programs. Founded by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in 1937, Ancilla is located 2 miles south of US 30 on Union Road near Plymouth, Indiana.